53131 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

53131 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What criteria did the Ministry of Social Development use to determine that Te Whare Pūkai did not qualify as a kai distribution centre, and how do these criteria account for kaupapa Māori delivery models?

Hon Louise Upston: MSD has advised me, that while Te Tihi o Ruahine Whānau Ora Charitable Trust has received funding in the past through the FCS Programme, there were two reasons for concluding Te Tihi o Ruahine’s FCS funding, which was due to inadequate reporting on the outcomes of previous funding provided, and that funding priorities shifted over time due to high demand and limited resources. MSD assures me they follow best-practice procurement processes to evaluate providers’ applications, and allocates funding where it is needed most, based on geographic needs and levels of deprivation. Difficult decisions have been made on how funding is allocated at national, regional and local levels based on the levels of deprivation, and output volumes.